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Kate Carmack Induction

Thursday, 10 January 2019 13:49

Credit: Yukon Archives

In Toronto, a pioneer of the Gold Rush of 1898 will be posthumously honoured for her contributions.

Kate Carmack (born, Shaaw Tláa in 1857) has taken her place with the Klondike Discoverers: Skookum Jim Mason, Dawson Charlie, George Carmack and Robert Henderson - in the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame.

This week Zena McLean, a descendent of Kate Carmack, travelled to Toronto to accept the honour on her behalf. She was joined by Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Doris Bill and Elder Councillor Jessie Dawson, Minister of Energy Mines and Resources, Ranj Pillai, AFN Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, members of Youth of Today Society as well as Yukon Chamber of Mines Past President Sue Craig and Executive Director Samson Hartland.

“As a First Nation Woman, Kate considered herself equal to any man, having her recognized as a mining icon after years of obscurity, is one step towards reconciling all First Nation roles in historical events and the contribution women have made in mining.” said Zena McLean.

The Klondike Discoverers were inducted into the hall of fame in 1999 for the gold discovery that led to the Klondike Gold Rush. Yukon First Nations have believed, for generations, that Kate Carmack was the one who found that first nugget in 1896.

She is the first Indigenous woman, and third woman to be inducted into the national hall of fame.

Kate Carmack’s nomination was a collaborative effort between Kwanlin Dün First Nation, the Youth of Today Society, Yukon Chamber of Mines and Kwanlin Dün First Nation Youth Advisory Committee to Council.

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